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Europe » Spain » Catalonia » Barcelona May 14th 2024

I love Park Güell so much and I wish it had been a nicer weather day. Soaked might be an understatement. We truly enjoyed the park, but it isn’t so fun to hang out in as long when you’re soaked. It was not quite 70 today so it was a little chilly. I took many photos of all but one of my favorite things. You can’t work your way backwards after a certain point so I missed my opportunity to recapture an image. Of course it’s also a bit different in a downpour anyway. I still love it there, but I love it most when dry and sunny, when the greatest light effects can be had on the mosaic tiles. Gaudí had a brilliant artistic mind. I can’t explain. It has to be seen. Photos don’t ... read more
Park Güell
Park Güell
Park Güell

Europe » Spain » Canary Islands » Tenerife May 13th 2024

We sailed from Lisbon with 64 passengers in our group. Time to meet new friends and visit new ports. Our first port of Agadir, Morocco is on the northwestern coast of Africa. I thought it would be warmer but this area is influenced by the cooler current that comes down from Greenland. We took the ship’s shuttle bus to the main town square and then negotiated with some very eager drivers for a two-hour taxi tour around the town. We ended up at the souk (market) and were in for some strong bargaining. I finally reached a price agreement with one merchant for some scarves and pashminas. That afternoon a sandstorm from the Sahara Desert kicked up leaving sand everywhere. We will probably see this same sand when it passes over Florida in a few weeks, ... read more
SEABOURN OVATION AT DOCK IN EL HIERRO
SUSAN AND SEABOURN STAF
AGADIR SOUK MARKET PLACE

Europe » Spain » Catalonia May 13th 2024

I love Barcelona. I love the art. It’s a lot of walking. I don’t mind walking but you can walk all day and see so much and still feel like you haven’t seen hardly anything. It’s so big. I’m staying a little bit out of the city center but it’s kind of more the outskirts of the city center I think would be more accurate. Definitely still in the city and close to the shore. That means a long walk anywhere or taking metro. I will do both and it has given me a greater appreciation for how much walking I did in the 6 days I was here last. We got in late yesterday so we found a tapas bar—note, the hostel front desk had no recommendations except two business cards at the front desk ... read more
Desayuno
Sagrada from the top
The infamous spiral staircase down the bottom part of the tower.

Europe » Spain » Andalusia » Málaga » Alora May 13th 2024

Marvellous Malaga -Piprey Start of journey One of informal things of being British is travelling to sunny Spain. Malaga is the capital of Costa del sol on the coast of the Mediterranean sea. With British train strikes right on the day of travel, I had to take a day off to rearrange my travel arrangements. After watching a pre-booked live British comedy show, I tried laughing my way from Swindon (Wiltshire) to Hayes and Harlington by the second last Great Western Railways (GWR) train of the day to stay overnight at a friend’s place. The comedy continued as in the morning, I slammed the door shut at my friend’s. My friend was not one to give up. She unscrewed the door latch; I looked up Youtube and we managed to open the door with a knife ... read more
Malaga port with cruise ship
Gorge of El Caminito del Rey
Story telling by experienced guide

Europe » Spain » Andalusia » Granada » Alomartes May 10th 2024

Grand Granada Piprey May 2024 Granada in Spanish means pomegranates. These lovely, red juicy fruits is the symbol of the city of Granada. The city is spectacularly placed, surrounded by mountains, in the Iberian peninsula about 1 hour 45 mins bus ride from the Malaga coast. It was the last foothold of the African berbers in Europe who ruled for over 800 years, leaving an imprint on this beautiful city. I was in the ALSA bus, enjoying the setting sun and arrived at Granada bus station around 10 pm. Life can be hard on travellers. At the local bus stop, there was a thin, tall man who claimed to be Dutch and said his luggage stolen. He had reported to police but did not have any money. Thinking of my similar experience in Amsterdam, I offered ... read more
View from Tower of Alhambra
Status of Queen Castile commissioning Christopher Columbus to sail to West
Nasrid palace

Europe » Spain » Basque Country » Bilbao May 4th 2024

Europe » Spain May 3rd 2024

4th May Barcelona. We had prebooked tickets to go La Sagrada Familia, the famous Gaudi designed church, just about impossible to get in unless you book ahead. The last two times we were here it was shrouded in scaffolding and nets but now its nearing completion the end of 2025! The morning we spent walking the streets of Barcelona to some other Gaudi designed buildings, the gorgeous food market and then a stop for a nice cold beer. Had a fabulous day with a guided tour of the inside and outside of La Sagrada Familia, the guide gave a great history of the building without going on and on, our ticket also included tickets to get up the Nativity tower for sweeping views over Barcelona, lift up but you have to do the stairs down, 400 ... read more
MERCADO DE LA BOQUERIA
MERCADO DE LA BOQUERIA
MERCADO DE LA BOQUERIA

Europe » Spain » Basque Country » San Sebastián May 1st 2024

As I am not working every Monday and Friday there are a few long weekends planned in and around Europe. It’s a great opportunity to discover new places and even visit a few new countries 👍 The first was a visit to the Basque region in Northern Spain with its own language and culture plus a long held wish to be an independent state. We got up at early o’clock last Friday and headed to Gatwick to enjoy breakfast before experiencing a first flight with Vueling, a Spanish low cost airline. You get your seat and then, like other low cost airlines you add on cabin baggage, hold luggage etc. We only needed one suitcase so return flights were less than £270 for both of us. We arrived in Bilbao and had lunch ( a lot ... read more
We requested a view of the cathedral ✅
Love the reflections of the stained glassed windows
Close up - so pretty

Europe » Spain » Catalonia » Barcelona April 25th 2024

April 21 Last night I asked the desk for a Tapas Bar close by. Following his directions I came upon the source of last night’s activity. Not a protest, not a political demonstration but rather a religious parade of a sort with drums, Roman candles, little devils and a dragon. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the show so I did too. I never found the place recommended but did find a small restaurant where I settled in with a view of the street with a glass of wine and a bowl of mussels . Might go there again today. One hour to Basilica. Wish it was warmer and the sun was shining but you can’t have is all, all the time. Entered on time and roamed around visiting all the remembered spots. Unfortunately it was overcast ... read more

Europe » Spain » Catalonia » Barcelona » Barcelona April 20th 2024

April 19 Packed up and ready to go. No room service today unlike in the past so I dressed and dragged my carryon, cane and pocket book to the Lido. A packed house. Circled the dining room twice but no seat available. Sat in a random chair until I spied an empty table. Asked the server to wipe it down and that was the last I saw of her. Went to the coffee bar, no cups and when the cups arrived, no coffee. Returned to my table and another server took my order for coffee and juice. Never saw him again. Finally decided to leave. Snagged a wheelchair and proceeded smoothly through customs and immigration, snagged a porter and we three headed to the taxi stand along with about a hundred of my best friends. That ... read more




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